Amazon's AI Assistant: Your Prime Day Shopping Companion

Amazon's new AI feature might be your secret weapon for winning at Prime Day

If you're feeling overwhelmed ahead of Amazon Prime Day, a new AI feature from the e-commerce giant may help you score everything you want, even the items you don't yet know you want to buy. Amazon announced this week that customers will have a more personalized experience when shopping by employing large language models (LLMs) to match individual preferences and provide more relevant product information. The most useful, though subtle, change is the recommendation system. The list of products under "more like this" has always been based on the current product page you're looking at, as well as your previous searches and purchases. With the updated system, you'll see ideas for things to buy that rely on specific details of your searches. Amazon's examples describe how you might see gift suggestions based on a holiday that you've bought gifts for previously or recent deals on gear for a sport your history suggests you like to play. The actual descriptions of those recommended products will also now reflect your search history. A particular attribute or adjective you include in your search, such as vegan food or a particular color of furniture, will translate to seeing those aspects highlighted in the title of the product. The point is to help you make informed decisions without having to scroll through tons of details you don't care about, which, on a mobile device, saves valuable screen space. Combined, you should see better products and why they are recommended immediately. "If the primary LLM generates a product description that is too generic or fails to highlight key features unique to a specific customer, the evaluator LLM will flag the issue," Amazon director of personalization Mihir Bhanot explained. "This feedback loop allows the system to continuously refine suggestions, ensuring that customers see the most accurate and informative product descriptions possible." This year, Amazon has been steadily deploying new AI features for shoppers. The biggest addition is its Rufus chatbot, which uses AI to research products and recommend purchases through conversations rather than keyword searches. As with much of the rest of Amazon's shopping experience, that will now include advertisements, but the general idea is still making your shopping experience specific to your interests. In the future, Amazon wants its customized advice to pull from more than just your Amazon history. The company has plans for extensions to pull data from sources like Gmail and YouTube Music that would further enhance shopping personalization. For now, you can expect your Prime Day to be a little more efficient and the products you see recommended a little more like exactly what you didn't know you were searching for.

Chat with AI and score big on Amazon Prime Day

Amazon's got something new to make your shopping experience a whole lot easier -- and help you catch some deals you didn't even know you wanted. They've rolled out a new AI feature that promises to give you more personalized recommendations. The idea is simple: make shopping less of a hassle and more about finding exactly what you need. One of the coolest upgrades is how Amazon's recommendation system now works. You're used to seeing "more like this" suggestions based on what you're browsing. Now, it's going to get a lot more specific. The AI digs into the details of your search history, showing you products that line up with what you've looked for in the past -- things like holiday gifts or gear for that hobby you've been exploring. This means fewer random results and more ideas that could lead to solid discounts, especially if it catches a deal you didn't notice before. What's even better is the way product descriptions are about to change. You know how sometimes it feels like you're scrolling endlessly. This AI feature aims to fix this. So, if you're looking for "eco-friendly furniture" or a specific color for your home, that will be front and center. Less scrolling, more finding -- and potentially faster access to those Prime Day discounts. If a product description doesn't quite hit the mark for you, there's another AI working behind the scenes to fix it, making sure the next suggestion you see is even better. Plus, if you're into trying new tech, Amazon's Rufus chatbot will help you out. You can actually chat with the AI, and it'll help you find the best deals. Here are five tips to make the most out of this AI shopping experience: Be specific in your search. Let's say you're looking for a vegan protein powder. Instead of just typing "protein powder," tell the AI exactly what you want -- "organic vegan protein powder under $30." This way, it can filter out products that don't meet your criteria and show you exactly what you're after, along with any promotions or discounts available. Ask for similar products. Found something you like but want to explore your options? Ask the AI for "more like this." For example, if you're eyeing a particular Bluetooth speaker, the AI can show you similar models, maybe even one that's on sale or comes with a better warranty. Set price alerts. If you're not in a rush, use the AI to track prices. Say you want to buy a smartwatch but you're waiting for a better deal. You can ask the AI to alert you when the price drops. Imagine getting a notification that your dream gadget is suddenly 20% off! Combine recommendations with coupons. You can also ask the AI to look for products that accept coupons or are part of a limited-time promotion. For instance, if you're searching for home office furniture, the AI might guide you to a desk that not only fits your needs but also has a coupon that knocks off an additional $50. Use chat to find bundled deals. If you want to score multiple items for less, ask the AI about bundle deals. For example, if you're shopping for kitchen appliances, you could ask the AI if there's a package deal on a toaster and coffee maker, potentially saving you more than buying them separately. The next Amazon Prime Day, this time called "Prime Big Deal Days 2024," will take place on October 8 and 9, closely aligning with the event dates from previous years, which were held on October 11-12 in 2022 and October 10-11 in 2023.